The idea of finding the origin of Native American theatre is, for lack of a better word, daunting. Not only does Native American culture and history go back many centuries, but, within those centuries, there are thousands of different nations with their own, unique culture and history. Through what the author has referred to as "genocide", much of the traditions of many of these peoples has been eradicated, including performing arts. However, what little remains is beautiful in its own right, and it has influenced performance art as we know it today. Performance art was integrated in many parts of Native American life, and it has been said that every Native American is an artist of some kind. With care, these traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. Performance art has always been about community for Native Americans, as stories connected them with the life around them. For westerners, there are certain Native American stories and rituals that are more well-known than others, such as Navajo chantways. These are epic dramas based in religious ritual. They usually begin with the creation of life and culminate with a powerful message on the cosmos and the lives we lead. Works written by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis are a testament to the effect of these chantways on western culture. Performance art in Native American culture also revolved around dance, which served many different needs. Some dances were to entertain while others such as the Plain Sun Dance were to ensure a good harvest for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, as the years have progressed, there has been a dramatic shift in stereotypes used in performance art by western civilization. Movies during the golden age of cinema such as Last of the Mohicans and Stagecoach portrayed Native Americans as savage brutes with not one ounce of compassion. This would continue with popular works like The Lone Ranger and Tanto. However, Native-American playwrights began to emerge with works that would later become massive American hits. An example of this would be the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Cherokee playwright Rollie Lynn Riggs. The play would go on to become the basis for the musical Oklahoma!. with this movement also came the creation of the Native American Theatrical Ensemble (NATE). The group toured throughout the country, bringing Native-American works to the world. Although successful, NATE has had its fair share of critics. However, like the history of Native Americans in general, Native American theatre will continue to move along despite the injustices that might be thrown its way.